Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has revealed the extraordinary moment
when the boxer, as a young boy, ran away from home in the Philippines after
his father had eaten his pet dog.

Pacquiao took to living on the streets, sleeping rough, many nights sleeping just in a cardboard box, buying doughnuts and then selling them for a penny more to eke out a living. Pacquiao then turned professional as a 14-year-old, boxing for money to escape poverty.

The incredible story of the rags to riches life of Pacquiao, his escape from poverty, his willingness to give his money away to the people who adore him, may give him the opportunity, some time in the next decade, many believe, to rise and run for the presidency of the Philippines.

Ricky Hatton may be popular, but Pacquiao has demi-God status in his homeland. Roach, who has trained great fighters including Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, and Bernard Hopkins among others, told Telegraph Sport: "Manny has the most incredible following of any fighter I've ever worked with. You have to go to the Philippines to believe it. You have to remember where he came from, that he fought his way out of poverty."

"Manny ran away from home after his father ate his dog, and he lived on the street, where he bought doughnuts at a doughnut store and then sold each one for a nickel more to survive. He slept in a cardboard box. He fought his way through all this, turned pro at 14, and look at the man he is today."

Pacquiao's popularity with his compatriots knows no bounds. "It's just unbelievable," said Roach. "I went to his birthday party, the President of the Philippines was there, there were 5000 people at the party, and 10,000 outside who couldn't get in. He's an icon, because he represents the hopes of so many people."

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"When he fights, there is no crime in the Philippines, because everyone is watching him box. He has come such a long way. He wants to go into politics, he's going to college right now, and after two more years of boxing, he will go into politics."

"I love training Manny. He doesn't stop between rounds, he doesn't rest. He's a machine. He fights like he trains, that's why he's in such great shape. We don't take anyone lightly, and he carries the hopes of many people when he fights. That's why we'll be in 100 per cent shape for this fight."